MINUTES OF LONGING

New Place, New Friend

Along the way, Arkana stared straight out the window. Observing trees and fast-moving houses leave them. For a moment he thought, maybe that's how life is. The wheel will keep turning, bringing the joys and sorrows of the sili to change. Nothing is eternal and eternal, what comes will surely go away.

Arkana closed her eyes for a moment when the mother's sad face flashed across her mind. She desperately missed the beautiful smile engraved on the gentle face of the mother. When was the last time Arkana saw that smile, she had even forgotten. Along with that, his sister's face appeared. Arkana still remembers how cute and sweet her little sister was. Although at that time he was 3 years old, but the sound of crying and laughter of his little brother was still very familiar with his hearing. Suppose they were still together, maybe now they are a happy family. Life as a complete family, father, mother, herself and her two younger sisters.

Unknowingly Arkana smiled in her daydream. Maher who saw him also patted his shoulder softly. Bringing Arkana back to the real world. Arkana took a deep breath and again smiled. But his smile this time looked bitter. Dreaming can always create happiness, but only false happiness.

“What else are you thinking?” maher raised his eyebrows.

“Thinking about the perfect family.” Arkana smiled faintly.

“What does his face look like at the moment? Surely she grew up to be a very beautiful and smart girl.” Arkana tries to draw in his imagination.

“Entailah, sister also can not describe it. He was very small and cute. What you say is true, don't imagine it anymore. We only have his memories and pictures when he was one year old. Maybe now he is already very different, so it seems like it will be a little difficult to recognize him at this time.” Maher tried to explain the problem that would make it difficult for them.

“But I'm sure she'll be very charming. It used to be that when she was a child she was very cute, white, her hair was black and her smile was very sweet. At this time he must have grown tall, beautiful, his long black hair was scattered with white skin and his legs.” Arkana began to describe what he was doing.

“Cloak!....” Maher flicked Arkana's forehead. “Stop with your wild imagination.” Maher advises Arkana.

“Why Brother, he's my brother. So can you please dong I think about it?” Arkana rubbed her forehead while grimacing.

“Not necessarily what you have in your picture is him. I don't know who's on your mind right now.” Maher looked at him while shaking his head.

“Of course I imagine my sister as a beautiful girl.” Arkana Grunts.

“I don't want to argue with you. I'll take a nap when I get up.” Maher closed his eyes as he folded his hands in front of his chest.

“Our journey is not far Brother, why did you even sleep.” Sahut Arkana grunting. But did not get a response from Maher who had closed his eyes. Then Arkana brought her eyes out the window.

“Alifa wait for brother to find you and take you home. We'll regroup, and you'll be so happy to have a little sister like Zafiya who's noisy and chatty.” Inner Arkana smiled.

Moments later their train had stopped distasius of their destination. Arkana shook her brother's body. Maher who was not really sleeping immediately opened his eyes. They quickly reached for their bags and backpacks, preparing to get off the train.

“Our L city came.” Arkana said as she set foot for the first time in the city.

“Our journey will begin soon. Prepare yourself Arka.” Maher said excitedly. Then he went first to leave Arkana.

“I'm very ready Brother. City L get ready, I'll go down every corner of you to take back my sister who you've been hiding.” Arkana said with full spirit. He quickly caught up with Maher who was further away from him.

Not far from them, Maher saw two men wearing sarongs, cocoa and peci. Children's costumes. Maher could immediately guess, if they were the ones sent to pick them up. Maher invites Arkana to approach those who look wobbly.

"Assalamualaikum, sorry mas-masnya from Al Amin pesantren huh? Asuha Kiyai Hamid.” Maher asked politely.

“Waalaikum greetings. That's right Mas.” Answer one of them briefly.

“Alhamdulillah, introduce me Maher and this is my cousin sister Arkana.” Maher immediately reached out a hand introducing himself.

“Maher??? Gu...ss Maher???” other murmurs observed them from top to bottom. Indeed, today Maher and Arkana dress very fashionable in the style of young people today. Who would believe if these two handsome and fashionable men were the sons of a great Kiyai and a memorizer of the Qur’an.

“Mas... mas...” Arkana resuscitated them while waving their hands in front of their faces.

“Ma.. sorry Gus we do not recognize Gus Maher. I'm Adam and this is Farid.” Adam answered nervously. He reached into Maher's outstretched hand and was about to kiss her.

“Let's Gus we bring the bag. Mr. Kiyai has been waiting for Gus Maher and Mas Arkana to be impressed.” Get Farid to take over both of their bags. Maher nodded, then they followed Adam and Farid towards the car.

On the way to the Al Amin boarding school, no one spoke. All were silent, thus creating an atmosphere of silence and awkwardness between them. Maher and Arkana exchanged glances. Then they took a deep breath, unable to bear this atmosphere.

“What is pesantren still far away?” maher tried to break the silence.

“Before until Gus.” Reply Farid bowed respectfully.

“Can I ask something?” maher sounded serious.

“Of course Gus.” This time Adam answered from behind the wheel.

“Don't be too shy of me. From today we become friends and you can call me Maher like Arka.” Maher said what surprised Adam and Farid.

“Sorry Gus we dare not.” Sahut Farid.

“You have nothing to fear. This is just between us, don't you want to be friends with us? Anyway we are new here and have no friends.” Arkana continued to persuade.

“Of course we are very happy if Gus Maher and Mas Arkana consider us as friends. But for our call did not dare to change it.” This time Adam tried to explain.

“Alright if you are not willing, then forget about friendship.” Maher replied firmly.

“Not so Gus, but we are just regular santri.” Farid tried to straighten.

“What a difference, there we will also be students like you. If you agree, let's make friends and I promise no one will know about this. This is just between us.” Maher offered a deal.

“Good Gus...” they finally lost. Maher cleared his throat hearing a call for him. Arkana held back her laughter, looking at her brother's acting stubbornness.

“Emm.. I mean Maher.” Farid repeated his call.

“It's new right. Nice to be friends with you.” Arkana broke their laughter. Although it was still awkward, Farid and Adam smiled happily. They admired Maher's very humble figure, and were willing to blend in with anyone regardless of status and standing.

The first day in L, Maher and Arkana instantly get two friends at once. Not a bad thing, especially Adam and Farid look as a very good santri. It seems that being friends with them is not the wrong choice. They hope that Adam and Farid will make it easier for them to get to know the city of L.

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Seriate.....

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